On Sept 14th, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the District Attorney’s

On Sept 14th, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office jointly sponsored a seminar at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). The seminar was called “Preventing Immigration and Government Services Fraud.” The seminar also introduced the Immigration Rights and Services Manual. Jimmy Yan, the General Counsel at the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, explained the contents and uses of the manual. According to Yan, a version of the manual is scheduled to be printed at the end of the year. Free copies will be sent to various organizations in the Chinese community. Currently, the Chinese Consolidated Association only has the English version, but the public is welcome to take a copy. Daysi Mejia, the coordinator of the Immigrant Affairs Program from the District Attorney’s Office, said that the Immigrant Affairs Program had received 1550 complaints. Among them, 45% of the victims were Chinese. The complaints were mostly about advice acquired from attorneys.

According to Mejia, the first step is to get the Chinese and English names of the attorney and look for his or her license, which should be prominently displayed in the law office. They should be wary of any promises or guarantee of success with asylum or visa application. Immigration service centers, travel agencies, and public notaries cannot provide legal advice. If they want to find out the attorney’s license, the public can access the information at www.ny.courts.gov.

Mejia also emphasized that there were fraud cases involving government benefits. The New York City Housing Agency will not accept any fee to apply for housing. Those who demand a fee are violating the law. Victims can report any case to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office at 212 335-3600, which has Chinese language translation. Any information from victims will remain confidential.

Yan, the editor of the manual, said that the manual provides various information on immigration, healthcare, public benefits, education, domestic violence, housing, naturalization, small businesses, etc.

By Yi Shan Song, World Journal, 15 September 2010. Translated from by Connie Yik Kong.